Acoustic microbubble propulsion, train-like assembly and cargo transport

This study reports the controlled mobility of microparticles in viscous fluids using acoustic microbubble propulsion. Microbubbles, nucleated and cavitated in a narrow slit between glass boundaries within an acoustic field, self-assemble into train-like arrangements. These trains can capture, transport, and release microparticles, mimicking a microscale cargo train. The mechanism involves the transformation of microbubbles from spherical to ellipsoidal shapes upon acoustic activation, enabling trapping and propulsion driven by surface and volume oscillation modes. This technology holds potential for various applications in microfluidics, biology, and biomedical fields.

Jakub Janiak, Yuyang Li, Yann Ferry, Alexander A. Doinikov, Daniel Ahmed